We've touched the hardware and were left with some good impressions. But that's only half of the equation: What about the games? Nintendo is offering several upgraded (and some brand new) titles for the Switch. While some depend on the new controller interfaces (Arms) and sharing aspects of the new console (1-2-Switch!), others, in classic Nintendo style, tap in our nostalgia (Sonic Mania, Ultimate Street Fighter 2). And there was another chance to play Zelda. Here's every title we could get our hands on at the Switch event.
'Splatoon 2'
It's Splatoon, innit? It felt just as good as the original Wii U game, with smooth frame rates and Nintendo's cutesy idealized urban environments. Barely anyone's played the original, so the lack of progress here isn't likely to faze either ardent fans or newcomers. We all just want more Splatoon.
Incidentally, this was one of two games I played wholly on the Switch rather than on a TV, and I loved it. I can definitely see myself using this as a hand-held way more often than a home console.
Aaron Souppouris
'Arms'
I'll be taking a more in-depth look at this game later, but my initial impressions are positive. Arms is Nintendo's big new title for Switch: a gesture-powered one-on-one boxing match with comically extending arms, boomerangs and more. Like a few games I saw during the Wii U's era (I'm looking at you, Star Fox), it's going to take some time to get completely used to the controls. It's also instantly enjoyable -- especially when you land your first twisting hook on your opponent from the other side of the arena. Boom.
Mat Smith
'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'
With all the courses, all the characters (plus five new ones), the biggest takeaway of this Mario Kart remake was the sheer portability of 10-driver Mario Kart on the Switch. To start, the console is smaller and handier than the Wii U GamePad, making it far more comfortable to play. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe played smoothly in 720p on the console's own screen, which was how I played it and the controls (a Joy-Con either side) worked better than on the Wii U GamePad, in my opinion. Even the screen does its job better than its predecessor. While the game will add all the DLC content the original got, there was one notable change to the game mechanics themselves: You can carry two weapons at once. Sounds like it's going to be messy.
Mat Smith
'1-2-Switch!'
Is it WarioWare, or is it Wii Sports Club? A little bit of both, but with a smarter controller. While none of the short, snackable mini-games used that crazy shape-detecting sensor that's embedded into one of the Joy-Cons, several demos offered a great demonstration of the refined haptic feedback you'll get from the Switch controllers. I fought a samurai, bested a rival cowboy at quick-draw, cracked a safe and copied a dance. The safe-cracking mini-game, where I had to tilt the controller until I felt an uneven "tick" from the controller in order to unlock a safe. It hints and the nuanced possibilities of Nintendo's party-game-in-the-making. That's a good start, but I want to see how Nintendo packages them all together.
Mat Smith
'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild'
Devindra Hardawar
'Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers'
As someone who's not really got into the last few iterations of Street Fighter (but adored the Alpha series as a teen), I was pretty happy with my time with The Final Challengers. Mat and I were stuck with the "improved" graphics, rather than the old-school sprites, but the game felt smooth and responsive (I'm pretty certain it was running at 1080p/60, and it had better be).
The Pro Controller I played it with, though? Not a huge fan. At least for Street Fighter, I need a good d-pad, and a good d-pad this was not -- it was just way too stiff. Maybe it'll loosen up in time? For what it's worth, the whole pad felt a little more ... slapdash when compared to the precision of the rest of the console. The analog sticks and face buttons are fine (and, let's be honest, not many people use the d-pad), at least.
Aaron Souppouris
'Snipperclips'
So I don't know if it was just 4AM (I'm in London) and I missed it, but I don't remember seeing Snipperclips during the event last night. That's a shame, because this game is so much fun. It's a two-player puzzle game where you need to work together to solve puzzles by ... cutting each other. It sounds weird but it's an absolute delight. I just about completed the demo in my allocated 10 minutes, and I loved every second of it. I loved Chariot, and there aren't enough two-player puzzle games around. I can't wait to play it with my kids.
Aaron Souppouris
'Fast RMX'
Tom Regan
'Super Bomberman R'
Tom Regan
'Skylanders Imaginators'
Tom Regan
'Disgaea 5 Complete'
Tom Regan
'Just Dance 2017'
Hold onto your hats, folks, because the tween dance party you've all been waiting for has just arrived. Like Super Bomberman R, Just Dance on Switch benefits most from the console's portability, allowing you to use the motion-controlled Joy-Cons to embarrass people where you go. It's a good fit for the console, but it's a game that's difficult to get excited about.
Tom Regan
'Has Been Heroes'
Tom Regan
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